England v San Marino: LIVE

12 October 2012 07:31

Englands third match of the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign comes against footballing minnows San Marino. Fifa rank the side at number 207, compared to England who come in at a flattering 5th overall.

With a population of around 32,000 and just one win in 114 competitive matches San Marino should pose no threat to England's chances of qualification. Although Gary Neville has warned England not to be complacent, telling the players to think of the utter embarrassment they would suffer if they slumped to a humiliating defeat to one of the worst team in world football.

England are yet to lose in open play under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson. Only losing on penalties against Italy during EURO 2012 this summer and in spite of scandals that have embroiled some of the England players the team remains strong and are focused on pushing ahead to secure a spot in Brazil in two years time.

England: Last 5 results

England 1 - 1 Ukraine

Moldova 0 - 5 England

England 2 - 1 Italy

England 0 - 0 Italy

England 1 - 0 Ukraine

When it comes to San Marino 'form' isn't a word regularly used, not in a good way anyway. 114 competitive matches, five draws and one win. Scoring just 19 goals and conceding 473 in the process, that's a rate of just over 4 goals conceded every game. Their solitary win came against Liechtenstein in April 2004, a goal after five minutes from Selva gave the side a feeling they have never before felt, victory. Selva also happens to be their all time leading goal scorer, with eight goals, not what most people would call prolific.

San Marino: Last 5 results

San Marino 0 – 6 Montenegro

San Marino 2 – 3 Malta

Moldova 4 – 0 San Marino

San Marino 0 – 5 Sweden

Netherelands 11 – 0San Marino

England's star man simply has to Wayne Rooney, when he is on form he is world class and could arguably walk into any team in the world. He can change a game like no one else in the England squad can, with his vision, power, strength and appetite to do the best he can do. With 29 goals in 76 appearances

San Marino obviously don't have the calibre of players that England do, after all they only have around 32,000 people to choose from. Manuel Marrani has to be their biggest threat, the only player in the current squad to have scored more than one goal in international football.

England have come up against the whipping boys of world football only twice before, scoring 13 and conceding 1 goal, after a dreadful back pass from current England U21 coach Stuart Pearce in 1994

Prediction:

I'm going for an England win, a very comfortable one at that, Rooney and co should easily be able to put five plus goals past San Marino.